[osswid]

I used to revere books, but after buying one too many that would have been better at article length (and often started out as such), I've become more guarded with the time I'm willing to invest in a book. Some books are worth a re-read, but an increasing fraction that I encounter now aren't worth a first.

"The 48 Laws of Power" is an example. I originally read this as a magazine article, which was great. I excitedly bought the 452 page book of the same title when it came out, but unfortunately it didn't cover much more than the magazine article I had already read; it was just book length.

[zackattack]

as an aside, when i was a bit younger i bought "the art of seduction" with the naive aim of studiously applying its techniques towards my own romantic goal.

[SlowOnTheUptake]

Evidently it worked for the author. He got you to buy his book.

[zackattack]

you can always win by playing to people's egos, or fundamental reinforcers (food/sex/sleep/drinking)